Phillies vs. Cardinals: ‘Almost’ Doesn’t Cut It, Raul Ibanez

First things first: Skip Schumaker was removed with an oblique strain. We already told you he was removed. We didn't tell you why. Oblique strain. That's why. Of course that's why. That's always why.

Second things second: it's still 1-0 Cardinals. The game is headed to the top of the fifth as I write this, and the score is still 1-0 Cardinals, just as it was after the second batter of the game. Roy Halladay, rather predictably, has settled down since those consecutive extra-base hits to start off - he threw a 1-2-3 second, a 1-2-3 third, and allowed only a ground ball single in the fourth.

But Chris Carpenter has also been strong. Stronger, one might argue. He didn't allow a runner in the third. Then in the fourth, he got himself into a little trouble, but escaped unscathed. He hit Chase Utley to lead off and allowed a two-out single to Shane Victorino to put runners on the corners for Raul Ibanez. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, Ibanez pulled a towering fly ball to right field. The camera instantly shot up and acted as if it was expecting a home run, and many of the fans behaved as if they thought the same thing, but Lance Berkman settled on the track to make a catch and end the inning.